Second Battle Again

After his memories of Mizuki concluded, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand holding his pipe paused slightly. He then ordered in a deep voice, "Continue to closely monitor Mizuki and Naruto's movements. Do not take action for now. If Naruto really goes to steal the Scroll of Seals... pretend you didn't see it."

Although the Anbu members were confused, they didn't ask further, merely responding in a low voice, "Understood."

With a flicker of their bodies, they vanished from the spot.

After the Anbu departed, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his gaze to the crystal ball.

In the image, Mizuki was still walking around the Ninja Academy, working, a familiar, overly friendly, and hypocritical smile on his face.

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly, but ultimately said nothing.

For now, Mizuki was clearly waiting for the results from Naruto's side. The real focus was still on Naruto.

On the other side, Naruto, relying on his own experience, found Sasuke at the training grounds.

The cool kid was repeatedly practicing Shuriken Throwing at a wooden post, each throw carrying a sense of indignant anger.

Naruto walked over slowly and called out, "Yo, Sasuke."

Sasuke's movements stopped, and he turned his head.

Seeing it was Naruto, a flicker of complexity crossed his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by intense desire.

"You're finally here."

Sasuke put away the shuriken in his hand, his tone feigning calmness, but unable to hide his urgency.

"Yeah, I'm here to keep my promise from last night," Naruto said casually. "I'll tell you how to improve your Taijutsu and shuriken skills. As for how I 'got smart'... you can't copy it even if I told you, but I can definitely make you stronger in a short time. Do you want to learn or not?"

What Naruto knew now, the combat experience he possessed, might be unmatched anywhere in the Ninja World.

Teaching one Sasuke was truly effortless.

In countless reincarnations, Itachi was Naruto's enemy, his opponent.

Even though in the first few reincarnations, he arrogantly said, "Every technique has a weakness."

Naruto still defeated Itachi, and as the number of reincarnations increased, Itachi's weaknesses were gradually exposed, allowing him to tell Sasuke that he could completely skip many detours.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes slightly.

The scene of their defeat yesterday flashed before his eyes, but it was also a fact that Naruto failed the Clone Technique this morning and couldn't graduate.

Someone who couldn't even master the Clone Technique was going to guide him?

It was simply absurd.

Yet, the unusual calmness emanating from Naruto didn't seem fake.

In the end, the desire to become stronger overwhelmed everything else.

"Okay," Sasuke replied, then looked up, his eyes firm. "But I have one condition."

"Speak."

"Let's spar again. This time, we'll both go all out. I want to see exactly how big the gap between us is."

Sasuke's voice deepened.

The spars in the academy were ultimately practice. Because he underestimated Naruto at the beginning, the rhythm changed drastically, and he didn't even use his signature Fire Style jutsu.

This time, Sasuke thought to himself that he would definitely not hold back and would go all out.

A subtle expression flashed across Naruto's face.

All out?

He was afraid he would completely shatter that bit of pride of yours.

But Naruto didn't say much, just nodded. "Fine."

The two separated, standing opposite each other.

The air was filled with a silent tension.

"Begin!"

Sasuke let out a low cry and attacked first.

Several kunai flew through the air, their angles tricky.

"Clang clang!"

Naruto didn't even move his feet. A slight flick of his wrist was enough to easily knock them all down with his own kunai.

Sasuke wasn't surprised. He took the opportunity to charge forward, his fists and feet attacking Naruto like a gale.

He felt that he had already reviewed every move from yesterday's practice spar last night, and this time he would definitely seize the initiative.

Unfortunately, every "change of move" Sasuke thought he had made still appeared childishly slow-motion in Naruto's eyes.

The gap in their strength was like a chasm.

Naruto didn't want to discourage him too much, so he took a few hits, pretending to be at a disadvantage, and retreated slightly.

Seeing this, a sharp glint flashed in Sasuke's eyes. He thought to himself, It's working after all. Then, he rapidly formed hand seals with both hands.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

A scorching fireball shot towards Naruto, bathing his face in a red glow.

Naruto watched calmly until the fireball was almost upon him. Then, his figure flickered, and he easily dodged it by a mere few centimeters.

As the flames burned fiercely before his eyes, Sasuke's lips curved into a smug smile. But in his peripheral vision, he saw Naruto dart out like a flash from the side, his fist aimed straight at Sasuke's chest.

Sasuke hastily raised his hands to block, only to realize it was a feint!

Naruto's true attack was low, and a clean sweep of his leg sent Sasuke crashing to the ground.

This time, Naruto didn't give Sasuke a chance to catch his breath.

The moment Sasuke leaped up to counter, he was completely suppressed by faster, more accurate moves.

Every attack was seen through, every block shattered by a stronger force.

After just a few more exchanges, Sasuke was once again knocked to the ground, bruised and panting, struggling to get up.

Naruto stood still, gazing at the downed Sasuke with a calm, unperturbed expression.

He had experienced this scene too many times; his heart was long past any turmoil.

Naruto spoke softly, "Your hand seals are too slow, your attacks sluggish, your footwork sloppy, your reactions dull. Nothing you do is decent! With you like this, how will you achieve the strength you desperately crave?"

Sasuke gritted his teeth, struggling to rise, but the movement aggravated his injuries. He let out a muffled groan, unable to move.

Naruto sighed, walked over, and crouched down. His palm began to glow with a soft green light as he gently placed it on Sasuke's injured area.

The green light of the Mystical Palm Technique flowed into Sasuke's body, and his injuries visibly healed at an astonishing rate.

Feeling his body recover, Sasuke couldn't hide his surprise. He looked at Naruto, as if truly seeing him for the first time.

"Let's call it a day," Naruto said, retracting the Mystical Palm Technique and standing up. He glanced at the sky. "We'll have plenty of time together in the future."

"Plenty?"

Sasuke was confused and also stood up. "I'm already a Genin, and you..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.

You can't even graduate, so how can there be plenty of time?

Naruto smiled at his words, a smile containing a hint of confidence Sasuke couldn't comprehend. He said calmly, "Don't worry. Not only will I graduate, but I'll be assigned to the same team as you. So," he gestured, "there will be no shortage of opportunities to 'guide' you."

With that, Naruto turned and waved, leaving Sasuke stunned in his spot, replaying the unbelievable words over and over.

Naruto, who didn't even pass the graduation exam, how could he possibly graduate?

This spar had been watched by many unseen eyes.

"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's strength has improved so rapidly, surpassing Uchiha Sasuke. And he even knows the Mystical Palm Technique... I need to report this to Lord Danzo immediately," a ninja from Root muttered before vanishing from his spot.

The most significant reaction, however, came from the Third Hokage's direct Anbu, who had been monitoring Naruto since childhood.

He had seen geniuses before, but someone like Naruto, who grew stronger so directly, was probably a rarity throughout history.

However, the most shocked of all was the Third Hokage himself, who had watched the entire event unfold through his crystal ball.

"Is that Naruto?!"